Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[justbugged]

Quote:
Justbugged now has my two blue Am pullets.

Yep and I am very grateful. The Ams have integrated into flock very well. Now if I could get the EE chicks, and the Crevecoeur banties to use the coop at night. They seem to be happy with the roost in the covered area. The EE chicks sleep on the big willow tree stump. I have tries a number of times to show then where the coop is, but they just don't seem to understand.

 

[justbugged]

I have a question for those of you with covered runs. So far, I've never cleaned poop out of the run. It doesn't seem to need it, I just add some straw when it gets to looking dirty. I've been thinking of doing a full cleanout though, because whatever rodent is still living under my coop has been pulling all the straw under the coop as bedding and protection; I can no longer see under the coop it's packed so tight with straw. Been thinking about using all those fall leaves in there instead. So should I just rake out all the old straw and stick it in the composter? Will it start to break down on its' own? It's obviously full of poop, and I'll keep adding the poop I scoop off the shelf each day as well. I guess I'm just wondering how often y'all maintain your covered chicken runs (not the coop, our coop is very clean). In the summer it was totally covered in flies but I think that's just the nature of having animals?? Now that it's winter the flies are gone and the smell is gone too. Will it all just break down over winter or should I compost it and start fresh every once in a while?

I would compost, and use fresh bedding at least a couple of times a year.

 

[justbugged]

One more question: has anyone just had a pullet lay great for 2 months and then up and quit for the winter? Princess, my EE/Marans mix from WA4HPoultryMom did that. She hasn't laid an egg in weeks! Everyone else is laying fine. I'm a bit peeved.

We need the eggs badly and if she's not gonna pull her weight all winter I don't know what I'll do.

There isn't enough light right now. If you want the birds to lay, you will need to add a light in the coop. They need enough light, so that they will have light for between 12 to 14 hours a day. You may want to keep the light closer to the 14 hours. I have a timer that turns on the light on and off for me.

 

[CarolynF]

I would use either pea gravel, or sand in the dirt area. The straw is much more difficult to clean up. I only use straw in the coop it's self. As long as straw stays dry. it's a great bedding. If it gets wet it will get nasty fairly fast. I have tried wood shaving in the run, and I would never do in again. it was way to hard too clean up. You may be abler to glean alfalfa at a feed store. The trick is to use a big lawn/yard bag, and most places will let you pick up the hay that has fallen off of the bales as they are moved. The kids that are loading hay and  straw, have to send time sweeping up the loose material. So in away it helps the feed store out, because the kids don't have spend as much time cleaning up the loose hay and straw. 

Definitely DO NOT use sand in a run that gets wet, I speak from experience. Wet sand + poop = cement! And it smells bad too!

ETA. I mean CONCRETE.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
Ah bummer. I can't go. My son has State Cross Country Race that weekend down in Eugene, OR. Guess I will have to wait for the Spring Swap in Canby, OR. I am torn between ordering chicks in spring and paying outrageous shipping, or getting chicks at the swap and run risk of getting cockerels. I can have them but I don't want to have more than 2 to keep overmating down. I already have 1 with my 6 hens and have 3 pullets in the grow-out tractor. Looking to get some 2 silkies, 1 frizzle cochin, and either 2 delewares or 2 favorelles. Thanks for replying.
There should be another WWF show in about March. It will be held at the Evergreen Fair grounds. We can let you know as soon as it is announced. I think that the March show tends to be a bigger show, than the winter show in Chehalis, It is still a lot of fun to meet up with a lot of our group in person.
And if you know what you want and pre arrange pick up at the shows, people here are more than willing to transport or hold on to them until you can get them. That's what I did from the Salem show. We are big enablers here! Anything you are interested in inparticular?

You a fan of TMNT?

I have had the nickname "Turtle" since the day I was born. My Grandfather gave it to me. He said I looked like a courting turtle with my head bobbing up and down in the nursery. When TMNT came out I added the "Power" to it. Stuck ever since.
My son and I used to watch TMNT. I loved that show and the movies! Just thought I would ask. I like your screen name.

It brought back good memories.
Where in Oregon are you located? I was born there and all my family is still down there in Woodburn and Salem.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: Contact said natives let em carve it out fill it with animals 2x2 and float away !!!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: My crows only like to lay in the best of weather. As soon as it cools they say NOPE not until we get more warm sun.

 

[TerrorBird]

Quote:
The table in the proper dining room has a tablecloth which the cats are fairly fond of. If I place a piece of paper on the table, I'll find my fat little black cat sitting on it later. She will ignore the nice soft tablecloth and settle on the paper. I think she thinks that this new thing is terribly interesting and so she must sit on it and see what happens. She's a weirdo.

 

[Farmin Momma]

Quote: Oh trust me I hope I didn't eather. But the one with the egg pip is still peeping and moving around. I had to open the incubator because they were still in the egg turner and I had to add a water dish. I have my fingers crossed though.

Quote: My crows only like to lay in the best of weather. As soon as it cools they say NOPE not until we get more warm sun.

It seems mine may be the same way, but I also just put a better light in the coop so maybe that will help and laying will pick up soon. 20 somthing hens and only 4 eggs everyday for the last two days.

 

[grammym]

Hey everyone, I'm a brand new chicken lover and plan on getting 8 chicks this spring, still researching what kind and reading lots and lots. I accidently found this site and already love it! I live in Sequim, WA (between Port Townsend and Port Angeles). Hope to get involved in this forum and make a bunch of peep friends. (Did I say that right?)